Search - The Company of Snakes :: Here They Go Again

4 1/2 stars - a very enjoyable live album

Docendo Discimus | Vita scholae | 08/26/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

""The Company Of Snakes" comprise bassist Neil Murray and guitarists Bernie Marsden and Mickey Moody from the original Whitesnake lineup, as well as drummer John Lingwood, keyboardist Don Airey, and the excellent Swedish vocalist Stefan Berggren.



On this crisp-sounding double live album they play almost exclusively old Whitesnake tunes from the late 70s and early 80s (and they're well within their rights to do so, since almost every one of these songs was co-written by either Moody or Marsden). And classics such as "Here I Go Again", the driving "Would I Lie To You", and the slinky "Don't Break My Heart Again", complete with a sizzling guitar solo, sound terrific.



There's room for a couple of new songs, though, and a great rendition of Rainbow's "Since You Been Gone" (Don Airey was Rainbow's keyboardist, as well as working with Ozzy Osbourne, Jethro Tull, and one of England's best drummers, the late Cozy Powell, to whom this performance is dedicated).

And everything sounds great. Bernie Marsden and slide guitarist Mickey Moody have lost none of their chops in the twenty years since they left Whitesnake, and Stefan Berggren is a fine singer...true, some may find that he is a little bit too restrained here and there, but kudos to him, all in all, for not resorting to unnecessary posturing.



The only thing that could have made "The Company Of Snakes" a better band would be the inclusion of now-retired pianist/organist Jon Lord, whose sublime organ playing and fiery blues-'n'-boogie piano would have made this fine live album even better. Or maybe it's the production, but anyway, you don't hear quite enough of Don Airey - even on the piano boogie of "Wine, Women An' Song" his piano is pushed a bit too much in the background.



Still, what's here is more than good enough as it is...Mickey Moody and Bernie Marsden trade off rock-solid riffs and excellent solos, and Murray and Lingwood provide a tough, muscular backbeat.

"Here They Go Again" provides a great opportunity to enjoy once more the "old" Whitesnake songs that Coverdale either doesn't do anymore, or which sound a little too 80s like when played by his sometimes attitude-plagued, high-octane band, but it isn't just for Whitesnake nostalgics - this fine album should appeal to all fans of hard, bluesy, guitar-heavy rock n' roll."

EXCELLENT

Eric Pascal | Bayside, NY United States | 04/07/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is simply amazing..Marsden & Moody show why they were the driving force behind Whitesnake... they are joined by Neil Murray & Don Airey..Vocalist Stefan Berggren shounds like a yound David Coverdale..They do all the classic Whitesnake songs excellent... plus Since You Been Gone From Rainbow..The band really stands out on Aint Gonna Cry No More..This CD is a must have...."

Still in the shadow of the blues...

Bete Noire | Vancouver, Canada | 07/26/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"There is life after Whitesnake for Mickey Moody and Bernie Marsden,with the added talents of legendary Don Airey,Neil Murray,and a Swedish up and coming talent,Stefan Berggren behind the mic.Of course,they cover themselves live,but in a raw and bluesy way;rock'n'roll all the way."